Nita, Juanita,
Ask thy soul if we should part
Nita, Juanita,
Lean thou on my heart
. (Jim Reeves - Caroline Norton)Today is my daughter, Juanita’s birthday and that is the song we sang to her when she was little.
My firstborn, she was loved far before she was arrived in this world. She was such an intelligent little person and she constantly amazed us by learning and doing things far before she should have been able to.
She played first chair french- horn beautifully. I love to hear the sound of a french- horn at the symphony it will always remind me of that young serious girl.
All of that independence that made her such a special child also was a catalyst for some heavy duty ‘tudes in her teen years! We had some very tough times. She called me Mo-a-mom (as in Kadafi). Fun times.
She worked hard to pay for gas and insurance for her…white Camaro. A pretty longhaired blonde in a white Camaro that went by the name of Wild Juan! Yep! That puts a mama at ease!!!!
The girl that hated anything with ruffles or lace, or was pink in color, became a successful director with Mary Kay Cosmetics and was the epitome of femininity. Go figure! What made Juanita special was the way she truly cared for the women she came in contact with and dealt with everyone on a personal basis.
She left Mary Kay after about 10 years and went back to school earning her Associates degree with a 4.0, and it brought tears of pride to see her in her cap and gown. She is now working on her Masters.
I love to sing with her in a duet or in a trio with her sister Erin. We have a wonderful sound. It brings back memories of singing with my Mom and Grandmother.
So many times over the years, I have picked up the phone to hear her say, "Guess what I just did?", and it has never been anything small. She gets something on her mind and she makes it happen, it might be for herself or someone else (we have often been the recipient) and it is usually on a grand scale.
She is so pretty, bright, witty, intelligent, with a flair for style, and a tendency to be a little too serious, but her fun side is still wild when it surfaces.
If there is one thing I regret, it is that she had to endure my ‘dark years’. J saw so many things happen to her mom that a little girl should never see and though I have told her I am sorry for putting her through all of it and though I know she has forgiven me I will be forever ashamed of the emotional scars she may carry because of my addictions.
She loves Jesus Christ with her whole heart; she walks the walk’ and is often a source of blessing and encouragement to me. She is the director of media for a large church here in Jacksonville.
Her husband, Zack, is a Navy Chief and they are up for orders next January. I am pretty sure they will be moving away and it will be a very sad thing for me, but wonderful new adventure for her.
I think that the best way to honor Juanita, would be to liken her to the woman described in Proverbs 31; a loyal wife that truly loves her husband, a loving and devoted mother to three beautiful children, and a dedicated, professional business woman. She has goals and dreams and she knows that God, her husband and family are all part of any plan she makes.
I got to spend the day with her today on her birthday and it was lovely.
I love you Neeter, Happy Birthday!
No comments:
Post a Comment